Last year, Acton, Inc. made quite an impression with its spnKiX motorized skates, and it looks like the company has more personal vehicles in the works. The company has revealed a new electric motorbike called the M Scooter, which the company claims can fold up into about half its size for easier storage. Besides being a more compact and eco-friendly form of transport, Acton estimates that its electric scooter will cost less than US$0.10 per day to drive under normal use.
Much like the MOVEO from earlier this year, the M Scooter starts out as a full-sized vehicle, but can collapse into itself to form a smaller, easy-to-store package. In riding mode, the scooter measures 40.3 x 25.8 x 43.7 in (102.4 x 65.5 x 111 cm), but the rear wheels, steering column and seat fold together into a much tidier 38.3 x 20.5 x 30.9 in (97.3 x 52.1 x 78.5 cm). It will still weigh a hefty 70 lbs (31.8 kg) of course, so you probably won't be carrying it all over town like a piece of luggage, but it will fit nicely into the trunk of a car or under a desk.
The whole scooter is powered by a Li-ion 36 V 10 Ah battery which takes about 2 to 5 hours to charge depending on the type of charger used. With its 250 W DC brushless hub motor, drivers can reach a top speed of 15 mph (24 km/h), making it more suited for urban environments. On a full charge, the battery provides enough energy for 2 to 4 hours of driving time, giving the scooter a range of 12 to 15 miles (19 to 24 km).
Riders can either stand on the base plate or pull out the retractable seat and sit down while driving the scooter. There's even enough space to fit two people, one sitting and one standing, provided their combined weight is less than 300 lbs (136 kg). The M Scooter also employs an all-wheel braking system for smoother stops and a pair of LED headlights for driving in poorly lit areas. The company also plans to offer a few additional accessories, such as a front cargo container and a horn.
A rep confirmed that the company plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign in October to bring it into mass production. Pre-orders for the the scooter should open up at around the same time, though no specific release date has been pinned down just yet. Once it becomes available to purchase however, the new electric scooter will have a price tag of US$1,799.
In the meantime, Acton has posted a demonstration video on Vimeo.
Source: Acton
